Tuesday, December 13, 2016

OWWA To OFWs: Be An Active Members To Get Benefits

Overseas Workers, Welfare Administration (OWWA) is urging every Overseas Filipino Workers to register and become active members of the agency to get benefits, not only for themselves but also for their dependents or families.

(WATCH:OWWA Member Ka na ba?)

According to OWWA Region-10 Director Roselle Bartolome, an active member of OWWA can enjoy benefits such as livelihood projects, scholarship for their children and many others.Registered and an active member also becomes the priority of the government. While those who are inactive, they do not get anything from the government.OWWA PROGRAM AND SERVICES

With a membership fee of US$25.00, an OFW is entitled to the following benefits and services:

1. Social Benefits

An OWWA member is provided with the following benefits within the duration of their contract (per contract basis, with maximum of 2 years contract)

A. Disability and Dismemberment Benefits - A member is entitled to disability/dismemberment benefit of up to P100, 000.00 for injuries sustained due to an accident while working abroad. Qualified are active OWWA members

B. Death Benefit. The family of an active OFW at the time of his death is entitled to receive P100, 000.00 if the cause of death is natural, and P200, 000.00 if the cause of death is an accident. On top of the death benefit, a rider of P20, 000.00 will be received by the beneficiaries for the funeral expenses. Qualified are beneficiaries of active OWWA member.

Requirements:

Original Death Certificate issued by the local civil registrar or authenticated by National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO)

Foreign Death Certificate for OFWs who died abroad including Airway Bill and Consular Mortuary Certificate or No Objection Certificate

Accident Report for death due to accident

Burial permit

Official receipt of funeral expenses

2 valid IDs and 1 pc. ID picture of claimant

Certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of OFW from NCSO (if OFW is single)

Any of the applicable documents certified by local civil registrar (LCR) or NCSO

Marriage certificate- if claimant is the spouse

Birth certificate of OFW- if claimant is father or mother

Birth certificate of child and death certificate of deceased spouse – if claimant is the child

Affidavit of undertaking executed by claimant (Police report if death is due to accident)

In the absence of Birth/Marriage Certificate, the following must be submitted:

Certificate from Local Civil Registrar that fact of birth/marriage is not recorded in the civil registry

Baptismal/marriage certificate certified by the Parish Priest/Office

Affidavit of 2 disinterested persons regarding fact of birth/marriage and claimant’s relationship to the deceased, with photocopy of their 2 valid IDs

(WATCH:Mga serbisyo ng OWWA para sa OFWs)

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2. Education and Training Assistance

A. PRE-DEPARTURE EDUCATION PROGRAM

a. Country Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) – The one-day PDOS is a compulsory orientation to OFWs in adapting or adjusting to the work environment as well as to the culture of their country of destinations. Its primary objective is to provide OFWs with the means to cope with their new work environment especially during their first few months of working abroad. The 1-day PDOS is attended by all workers (all skills) prior to their deployment abroad.

b. Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) - The CPDED is either a four or six-day orientation seminar attended by Household Service Workers (HSWs). The CPDEP is jointly conducted by accredited NGO PDOS providers and OWWA. The NGO-accredited PDOS providers administer the PDOS on the first day, while OWWA handles the language, culture and stress management sessions on the succeeding days.

(WATCH:OWWA Programs & Services)

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B. TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR FILIPINO SEAFARERS

1. Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)

The program intends to provide job-related training in upgrading the knowledge, skills and develop expertise among Filipino seafarers in accordance with technological advancements and global maritime standards. It is in the form of financial assistance with OWWA assuming the training cost as prescribed in the existing implementing guidelines. The applicant may choose his/her preferred training course accredited by Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from the list of OWWA recognized Training Providers where he/she intends to enroll. Training assistance is P7,500.00.

Requirements:

Seafarers with valid OWWA membership contribution at the time of application shall be entitled to avail of SUP under any of the following condition:

Subsequent entitlements every three (3) recorded payments of OWWA membership contribution

Single contribution for first time availment

For subsequent availments, applications may be filed within 90 days from the date of the last arrival to the Philippines/on vacation or following the expiration of his employment contract.

Documentary Requirements:

Proof of OWWA membership

Accomplished Application Form

Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book and/or Passport (valid original copy)

2”x2” Photo (2 copies)

C. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DEPENDENTS

a. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)*

The EDSP is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of active OWWA members who intend to enroll a 4-5 year baccalaureate course in any preferred colleges/universities. It shall be in the form of financial assistance amounting to a maximum of P60,000.00 per school year.

Eligibility

The scholarship grant is only provided once per family of an active OWWA member –OFW

The dependent applicant must not be a recipient of any other scholarship grants

The dependent-applicant has not previously taken the EDSP qualifying examination and any post-secondary/vocational or undergraduate/college units

Requirements

The member-OFW must have an active membership with OWWA at the time of the application.

The dependent-applicant must not be more than 21 years of age

The dependent-applicant must have an average grade of at least 80% and belongs to the upper 20% of the 3rd year/high school graduating class

The dependent-applicant must pass the qualifying examination conducted by DOST and belongs to the top 200 examination passer

The dependent-applicant must pass the College Admission Test of the university he/she intends to enroll

Filing of EDSP Application

1. Filing of application starts every June of each school year. Deadline for submission of application is every first week of August of each year or as prescribed by ROCS based on the scheduled qualifying exam conducted by DOST

2. An applicant must be 4th-year high school student and belongs to the graduating class at the time of the application

3. Application with incomplete documentary requirements will not be accepted

4. Applications are subject to review and further verification as to the documentary requirements submitted

5. Application approval only identifies applicants who are qualified to take the national competitive exam conducted by DOST. Examinees who belong to the top 200 passers will qualify for the scholarship

*Suspended due to the K To 12 Program. Will resume in School Year 2018-2019

(WATCH:How to avail the OWWA Scholarship)

b. OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)*

The OFWDSP is an educational assistance to qualified dependents of active OWWA-member-OFWs who intend to pursue any 4 or 5-year baccalaureate degree or associate degree in-state college or university. The scholarship shall be in the form of financial assistance of P20,000.00 per year. Scholarship program to a dependent of OFW whose income is not more than US$400.00.

Legal dependent refers to only 1 child of married or single or only 1 sibling of member-OFW

Qualified legal dependent must be single and not more than 21 years old

He/she must be a high school graduate, physically, mentally and morally fit

He/she must pass the entrance examination conducted by state college/university in OWWA Regional Offices where she intends to enroll

The dependent-applicant must not be a recipient of any other scholarship grants

Each OWWA active member is entitled to only 1 scholarship beneficiary

OFW couples who are both eligible for the program shall be entitled to only 1 scholarship slot

Eligible OFW dependent who are previous availees of the EDSP and CMWSP are no longer qualified under the ODSP

*Suspended due to the K To 12 Program. Will resume in School Year 2018-2019

c. Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP)*

The CMWSP is a scholarship program extended to deserving migrant workers and/or their immediate descendants who intend to pursue 4 or 5-year courses in the priority fields of Science and Technology. It was created by virtue of Republic Act 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. under section 37, Article lX. Educational assistance is P60,000.00/year funds from the PCSO. The examination is administered by DOST. 100 passers qualify to the program. EDSP and CMWSP have the same date of examinations.

Documentary Requirements for both EDSP and CMWSP are the same

*Suspended due to the K To 12 Program. Will resume in School Year 2018-2019

d. Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) - Scholarship for the dependents of OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death. Only one child, usually the eldest child of member-OFW is given scholarship grant.

P5,000- allowance for elementary

P8,000.00- allowance for high school

10,000.00- allowance for college

The surviving spouse, if the OFW member was married or the mother/father if the OFW was single, will also receive a livelihood assistance of P15,000.00

Important educational requirements are proof of OWWA membership by the OFW; proof of relationship to OWWA member by the beneficiary

TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OFWs AND DEPENDENTS

a. Skills-for-Employment –Scholarship Program (SESP)

It is in the form of training assistance with OWWA assuming the training cost in vocational/technical courses accredited by TESDA and other government institutions as prescribed in the existing implementing guidelines. Financial assistance is P14,500.00. The applicant may choose his/her preferred training course from the list of OWWA recognized Training Providers where he/she intends to enroll. Eligible to avail are member-OFWs and beneficiaries.

The applicant must be:

An active OWWA member or a dependent/beneficiary of an active OWWA member. Member-OFW dependent/beneficiary shall be limited to :

Spouse

Child 20 years old and below (not currently enrolled)

Sister or brother of single OFW 20 years old and below (not currently enrolled)

A Filipino citizen

At least elementary graduate

Requirements:

Important documentary requirements include proof of OWWA membership for member and proof of relationship to OFW-member, if dependent/beneficiary

This computer literacy program provides OFWs and their families training and access to technology intended to bridge the communication gap between the OFW and his/her family and allow them to communicate with each other through the internet. The program also aims to upgrade their IT skills

(WATCH:OWWA offers livelihood programs to repatriated Filipinos)

Workers Welfare Assistance Program

On-site Assistance and services - Assistance extended to OFWs at the job sites by the Philippine Overseas Labor Officials:

Assistance on OFW’s whereabouts

Psycho-social counseling

Mediation/conciliation with employer

Airport assistance

Hospital/prison/work camp visitations

Legal assistance to OFWs who wish to pursue labor/welfare case against their employer in the host country

In –Country

Assistance extended to OFWs/families here at the homefront

Requests from families and next-of-kins (NOKs) for assistance from OWWA overseas posts

Post-repatriation assistance

Temporary shelter at OWWA Halfway House

Transportation allowance to their provinces

Stress Debriefing/ Counseling

Referral

Social Services and Family Welfare Services

a. Repatriation Assistance Program

The program provides services including negotiations with employers, agents, and host country authorities to facilitate the immediate repatriation of OFWs who are distressed or physically/mentally ill, and of human remains. They are accorded airport assistance, temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, and provision of transport services or fares for their onward travel to their respective provinces. Emergency repatriation is carried out in the event of political unrest or natural calamities.

OFWs, regardless of their OWWA membership can avail of the Repatriation Program

b. Reintegration Program.

Reintegration is a way of mainstreaming returning OFWs into Philippine society.

Reintegration (in-country). Offers livelihood opportunities to OFWs who have finished contracts and have no wish to go back to work abroad. On the other hand, reintegration program is also offered to distressed OFWs by way of self-employment or livelihood project as a means of income-generation for the family even after their overseas employment.

Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! Program

This is a non-cash livelihood support/assistance intended to provide immediate relief to returning member-OFWs, active or non-active who are displaced from their jobs due to war/political conflicts in host countries or policy reforms controls and changes by the host government or are victims of illegal recruitment and/or human trafficking or other distressful situations. The program is a package of livelihood assistance amounting to TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) maximum consisting of a. techno-skills and/or entrepreneurial training and b) starter kits/goods and/or c) such other services that will enable the target beneficiaries to quick start a livelihood undertaking through self/wage employment.

Eligible beneficiaries- OWWA members, active or non-active. OWWA members with finished employment contracts are not entitled to this Program. The program can be availed only once by eligible beneficiaries and within one year after return to the country.

Overseas Filipino Workers – Enterprise Development and Loan Program (OFW-EDLP)

OFW-EDLP, formerly known as OFW-Reintegration Program (ORP), is an enterprise development intervention and a loan facility of OWWA, in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) intended to support enterprise development among OFWs and their families.

Eligible borrowers:

OFW who is a certified OWWA member, active or non-active

Has completed Enhanced Entrepreneurial Development Training (EEDT)

OFWs working abroad, or about to leave may be presented by the following:

If OFW is married, by the legal spouse

If OFW is single, widow, widower, or separated-in-fact:

Parents not more than sixty (60) years old

Children who are at least eighteen (18) years old

Eligible Projects:

Franchising business

Contract tie-up with top 1000 corporations;

Agri and non-agri production/manufacturing

Construction/rental business

Service/trading business

Transport service

Any viable project whether existing or new

The enterprise should generate a cash flow sufficient to pay the projected amortization of the loan

Interest Rate: 7.5% per annum for the entire duration of the loan

Loan Purpose: Working Capital and Fixed Asset Acquisition

Loan Repayment:

Short-Term- max of one (1) year;

Term Loan: based on cash flow but not to exceed 7 years, inclusive of maximum of 2 years grace period.

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